Best VPN apps for Android

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when you’re online is becoming more and more important than ever these days. While the internet is a public space, a VPN acts like an invisibility cloak and makes your online activity virtually anonymous, making it hard for someone to track you when you’re online — whether you’re concerned about your internet service provider, the government, or malicious hackers.

We’ve previously looked at the best VPN services across all platforms, but here we’re going to specifically look at VPNs for your Android devices. These are apps that are free to download, but typically require you to pay a monthly or yearly subscription. We’ve run down the best, so check it out!

Private Internet Access VPN

For those who are new to using a VPN, one of the most important features will be an easy-to-use interface. You want something as easy as flipping a switch. Private Internet Access offers just that, with an extremely simple Android app. Best of all, a yearly subscription is around $40, which is one of the lowest prices you’ll find for a premium VPN.

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Private Internet Access uses over 3,000 servers in 24 different countries and has received numerous nominations as one of the best commercial VPNs you can use. They don’t log any of your online activity and the app is compatible not only with your Android devices, but also any computers running Windows, macOS or Linux.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another highly-rated premium VPN service that has been praised for its customer service and includes all the features you’d expect from a top-rated VPN such as unlimited bandwidth, unlimited speed, and strong encryption. You’re able to connect up to three devices simultaneously via ExpressVPNs thousands of servers in more than 94 different countries.

The app for Android is easy to use for beginners, with settings and features that heavy users will appreciate. Subscriptions are a bit pricier but ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial and a no-hassle, 100% money-back guarantee for your first 30 days of service, so you can try it out for yourself.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a great option if you’re looking for an encrypted connection for up to six devices. Operated out of Panama, NordVPN has no legal obligation to record the activity of its users, so you can confidently connect to one of more than 1000 servers in 57 different countries.

It, too, comes highly recommended from a variety of outlets including CNET and PCMag, with an app for Android that’s dead simple to use. Connect to a server with the press of a button and keep your phone protected when browsing on public Wi-Fi.

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You can try NordVPN for free with a 7-day trial before deciding whether to commit to a subscription.

TunnelBear VPN

Don’t mistake the cartoony layout of TunnelBear VPN‘s Android app — it’s a simple-to-use app that offers serious VPN protection. You can create an account for free, which gives you 500MB of secure data a month but we’d recommend checking out a paid subscription that lets you connect up to five different devices at a time to servers in 20 different countries.

The Android app is actually fun to use, and you got to give TunnelBear credit for really doubling down on its name by really running with the concept. TunnelBear does not currently support torrenting, so if that’s an important feature you’re best to look elsewhere. If you’re only looking for a casual VPN for your phone, TunnelBear is a great free option with affordable pricing for upgrading to the premium service.